CHAPTER 12

RELEVANT COSTING
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1.

Which of the following is not a characteristic of relevant costing information? It is

a.
b.
c.
d.

associated with the decision under consideration.

significant to the decision maker.
readily quantifiable.
related to a future endeavor.

ANSWER:
2.

a future cost.
avoidable.
sunk.
a product cost.

ANSWER:

EASY

Relevant costs are

a.
b.
c.
d.

all fixed and variable costs.

all costs that would be incurred within the relevant range of production.
past costs that are expected to be different in the future.
anticipated future costs that will differ among various alternatives.

ANSWER:
4.

EASY

A fixed cost is relevant if it is

a.
b.
c.
d.

3.

EASY

Which of the following is the least likely to be a relevant item in deciding whether to
replace an old machine?
a.
b.
c.
d.

acquisition cost of the old machine

outlay to be made for the new machine
annual savings to be enjoyed on the new machine
life of the new machine

ANSWER:

EASY

121

122

5.

Chapter 12

If a cost is irrelevant to a decision, the cost could not be

a.
b.
c.
d.

a sunk cost.
a future cost.
a variable cost.
an incremental cost.

ANSWER:
6.

EASY

incremental fixed costs

all costs of inventory
total variable costs that are the same in the considered alternatives
the cost of a fixed asset that could be used in all the considered alternatives

ANSWER:

EASY

The term incremental cost refers to

a.
b.
c.
d.

the profit foregone by selecting one choice instead of another.

the additional cost of producing or selling another product or service.
a cost that continues to be incurred in the absence of activity.
a cost common to all choices in question and not clearly or feasibly allocable to
any of them.

ANSWER:
8.

Which of the following costs would be relevant in short-term decision making?

a.
b.
c.
d.

7.

Relevant Costing

EASY

A cost is sunk if it
a.
b.
c.
d.

is not an incremental cost.

is unavoidable.
has already been incurred.
is irrelevant to the decision at hand.

ANSWER:

EASY

Chapter 12

9.

Relevant Costing

Most___________ are relevant to decisions to acquire capacity, but not to short-run

decisions involving the use of that capacity.
a.
b.
c.
d.

sunk costs
incremental costs
fixed costs
prime costs

ANSWER:
10.

sunk costs
yes
yes
no
yes

ANSWER:

EASY

historical costs
yes
no
no
yes

allocated costs
no
no
yes
yes

EASY

In deciding whether an organization will keep an old machine or purchase a new machine,
a manager would ignore the
a.
b.
c.
d.

estimated disposal value of the old machine.

acquisition cost of the old machine.
operating costs of the new machine.
estimated disposal value of the new machine.

ANSWER:
12.

Irrelevant costs generally include

a.
b.
c.
d.

11.

123

EASY

The potential rental value of space used for production activities

a.
b.
c.
d.

is a variable cost of production.

represents an opportunity cost of production.
is an unavoidable cost.
is a sunk cost of production.

ANSWER:

EASY

124

13.

Chapter 12

The opportunity cost of making a component part in a factory with excess capacity for
which there is no alternative use is
a.
b.
c.
d.

the total manufacturing cost of the component.

the total variable cost of the component.
the fixed manufacturing cost of the component.
zero.

ANSWER:
14.

Variable
costs
no
yes
no
yes

ANSWER:

EASY

Avoidable fixed
costs
yes
no
no
yes

Unavoidable fixed
costs
yes
yes
yes
no

EASY

In a make or buy decision, the opportunity cost of capacity could

a.
b.
c.
d.

be considered to decrease the price of units purchased from suppliers.

be considered to decrease the cost of units manufactured by the company.
be considered to increase the price of units purchased from suppliers.
not be considered since opportunity costs are not part of the accounting records.

ANSWER:
16.

Which of the following are relevant in a make or buy decision?

a.
b.
c.
d.

15.

Relevant Costing

EASY

Which of the following are relevant in a make or buy decision?

a.
b.
c.
d.

Prime costs
yes
yes
yes
no

ANSWER:

Sunk costs
yes
no
no
no
EASY

Incremental costs
yes
yes
no
yes

Chapter 12

17.

Relevant Costing

In a make or buy decision, the reliability of a potential supplier is

a.
b.
c.
d.

an irrelevant decision factor.

relevant information if it can be quantified.
an opportunity cost of continued production.
a qualitative decision factor.

ANSWER:
18.

EASY

maintaining a long-term relationship with suppliers

quality control is critical
utilization of idle capacity
part is critical to product

ANSWER:

EASY

When a scarce resource, such as space, exists in an organization, the criterion that should
be used to determine production is
a.
b.
c.
d.

contribution margin per unit.

selling price per unit.
contribution margin per unit of scarce resource.
total variable costs of production.

ANSWER:
20.

Which of the following qualitative factors favors the buy choice in a make or buy decision
for a part?
a.
b.
c.
d.

19.

125

EASY

Fixed costs are ignored in allocating scarce resources because

a.
b.
c.
d.

they are sunk.

they are unaffected by the allocation of scarce resources.
there are no fixed costs associated with scarce resources.
fixed costs only apply to long-run decisions.

ANSWER:

EASY

126

21.

Chapter 12

The minimum selling price that should be acceptable in a special order situation is equal to
total
a.
b.
c.
d.

production cost.
variable production cost.
variable costs.
production cost plus a normal profit margin.

ANSWER:
22.

EASY

direct labor
equipment depreciation
variable cost of utilities
opportunity cost of production

ANSWER:

EASY

The _______________ prohibits companies from pricing products at different amounts

unless these differences reflect differences in the cost to manufacture, sell, or distribute the
products.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Internal Revenue Service

Governmental Accounting Office
Sherman Antitrust Act
Robinson-Patman Act

ANSWER:
24.

Which of the following costs is irrelevant in making a decision about a special order price
if some of the company facilities are currently idle?
a.
b.
c.
d.

23.

Relevant Costing

EASY

An ad hoc sales discount is

a.
b.
c.
d.

an allowance for an inferior quality of marketed goods.

a discount that an ad hoc committee must decide on.
brought about by competitive pressures.
none of the above.

ANSWER:

MEDIUM

Chapter 12

25.

Relevant Costing

A manager is attempting to determine whether a segment of the business should be

eliminated. The focus of attention for this decision should be on
a.
b.
c.
d.

the net income shown on the segments income statement.

sales minus total expenses of the segment.
sales minus total direct expenses of the segment.
sales minus total variable expenses and avoidable fixed expenses of the segment.

ANSWER:
26.

EASY

contribution margin per hour of machine time.

gross margin per unit.
contribution margin per unit.
sales price per unit.

ANSWER:

EASY

For a particular product in high demand, a company decreases the sales price and
increases the sales commission. These changes will not increase
a.
b.
c.
d.

sales volume.
total selling expenses for the product.
the product contribution margin.
the total variable cost per unit.

ANSWER:
28.

Assume a company produces three products: A, B, and C. It can only sell up to 3,000
units of each product. Production capacity is unlimited. The company should produce the
product (or products) that has (have) the highest
a.
b.
c.
d.

27.

127

EASY

An increase in direct fixed costs could reduce all of the following except
a.
b.
c.
d.

product line contribution margin.

product line segment margin.
product line operating income.
corporate net income.

ANSWER:

EASY

128

29.

Chapter 12

When a company discontinues a segment, total corporate costs may decrease in all of the
following categories except
a.
b.
c.
d.

variable production costs.

allocated common costs.
direct fixed costs.
variable period costs.

ANSWER:
30.

EASY

segment variable costs

segment fixed costs
costs allocated to the segment
period costs

ANSWER:

EASY

K Co. uses 10,000 units of a part in its production process. The costs to make a part are:
direct material, $12; direct labor, $25; variable overhead, $13; and applied fixed overhead,
$30. K Co. has received a quote of $55 from a potential supplier for this part. If K Co.
buys the part, 70 percent of the applied fixed overhead would continue. K Co. would
be better off by
a.
b.
c.
d.

$50,000 to manufacture the part.

$150,000 to buy the part.
$40,000 to buy the part.
$160,000 to manufacture the part.

ANSWER:
32.

In evaluating the profitability of a specific organizational segment, all _______________

would be ignored.
a.
b.
c.
d.

31.

Relevant Costing

MEDIUM

P Co. has only 25,000 hours of machine time each month to manufacture its two products.
Product X has a contribution margin of $50, and Product Y has a contribution margin of
$64. Product X requires 5 hours of machine time, and Product Y requires 8 hours of
machine time. If P wants to dedicate 80 percent of its machine time to the product that
will provide the most income, P will have a total contribution margin of
a.
b.
c.
d.

$250,000.
$240,000.
$210,000.
$200,000.

ANSWER:

DIFFICULT

Chapter 12

33.

Relevant Costing

129

Down Co. has 3 divisions: R, S, and T. Division Rs income statement shows the following
for the year ended December 31, 2001:
Sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Selling expenses
Administrative expenses
Net loss

$1,000,000
(800,000 )
$ 200,000
$100,000
250,000

(350,000 )
$ (150,000 )

Cost of goods sold is 75 percent variable and 25 percent fixed. Of the fixed costs, 60
percent are avoidable if the division is closed. All of the selling expenses relate to the
division and would be eliminated if Division R were eliminated. Of the administrative
expenses, 90 percent are applied from corporate costs. If Division R were eliminated,
Down Co. income would
a.
b.
c.
d.

increase by $150,000.
decrease by $ 75,000.
decrease by $155,000.
decrease by $215,000.

ANSWER:
34.

MEDIUM

Sandow Co. is currently operating at a loss of $15,000. The sales manager has received a
special order for 5,000 units of product, which normally sells for $35 per unit. Costs
associated with the product are: direct material, $6; direct labor, $10; variable overhead,
$3; applied fixed overhead, $4; and variable selling expenses, $2. The special order would
allow the use of a slightly lower grade of direct material, thereby lowering the
price per unit by $1.50 and selling expenses would be decreased by $1. If Sandow wants
this special order to increase the total net income for the firm to $10,000, what sales price
must be quoted for each of the 5,000 units?
a.
b.
c.
d.

$23.50
$24.50
$27.50
$34.00

ANSWER:

MEDIUM

1210

35.

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

Q Co. produces a part that has the following costs per unit:
Direct material
Direct labor
Variable overhead
Fixed overhead
Total

$ 8
3
1
5
$17

Z Corp. can provide the part to Q for $19 per unit. Q Co. has determined that 60 percent
of its fixed overhead would continue if it purchased the part. However, if Q no longer
produces the part, it can rent that portion of the plant facilities for $60,000 per year. Q Co.
currently produces 10,000 parts per year. Which alternative is preferable and by what
margin?
a.
b.
c.
d.

Make$20,000
Make$50,000
Buy$10,000
Buy$40,000

ANSWER:
36.

MEDIUM

Armstrong Co. has 15,000 units in inventory that had a production cost of $3 per unit.
These units cannot be sold through normal channels due to a significant technology
change. These units could be reworked at a total cost of $23,000 and sold for $28,000.
Another alternative is to sell the units to a junk dealer for $8,500. The relevant cost for
Armstrong to consider in making its decision is
a.
b.
c.
d.

$45,000 of original product costs.

$23,000 for reworking the units.
$68,000 for reworking the units.
$28,000 for selling the units to the junk dealer.

ANSWER:

EASY

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

1211

Use the following information for questions 37 and 38.

37.

R Corp. sells a product for $18 per unit, and the standard cost card for the product shows
the following costs:
Direct material
Direct labor
Overhead (80% fixed)
Total

$ 1
2
7
$10

R received a special order for 1,000 units of the product. The only additional cost to R
would be foreign import taxes of $1 per unit. If R is able to sell all of the current
production domestically, what would be the minimum sales price that R would consider
for this special order?
a.
b.
c.
d.

$18.00
$11.00
$5.40
$19.00

ANSWER:
38.

EASY

Assume that R has sufficient idle capacity to produce the 1,000 units. If R wants to
increase its operating profit by $5,600, what would it charge as a per-unit selling price?
a.
b.
c.
d.

$18.00
$10.00
$11.00
$16.60

ANSWER:

MEDIUM

1212

39.

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

Handy Combs, Inc. makes and sells brushes and combs. It can sell all of either product it
can make. The following data are pertinent to each respective product:
Units of output per machine hour
Selling price per unit
Product cost per unit
Direct material
Direct labor
Variable overhead

Brushes
8
$12.00

Combs
20
$4.00

$1.00
2.00
0.50

$1.20
0.10
0.05

Total fixed overhead is $380,000.

The company has 40,000 machine hours available for production. What sales mix will
maximize profits?
a.
b.
c.
d.

320,000 brushes and 0 combs

0 brushes and 800,000 combs
160,000 brushes and 600,000 combs
252,630 brushes and 252,630 combs

ANSWER:
40.

EASY

Boston Shoe Cobblers has been asked to submit a bid on supplying 1,000 pairs of military
dress boots to the Pentagon. The companys costs per pair of boots are as follows:
Direct material
Direct labor
Variable overhead
Variable selling cost (commission)
Fixed overhead (allocated)
Fixed selling and administrative cost

$8
6
3
3
2
1

Assuming that there would be no commission on this potential sale, the lowest price the
firm can bid is some price greater than
a.
b.
c.
d.

$23.
$20.
$17.
$14.

ANSWER:

EASY

Chapter 12

41.

Relevant Costing

1213

Schoof Company has two sales territoriesNorth and South. Financial information for the
two territories for 2001 follows:
Sales
Direct costs:
Variable
Fixed
Allocated common costs
Net income (loss)

North
$980,000

South
$750,000

(343,000)
(450,000)
(275,000 )
$ (88,000 )

(225,000)
(325,000)
(175,000 )
$ 25,000

Because the company is in a start-up stage, corporate management feels that the North
sales territory is creating too much of a cash drain on the company and it should be
eliminated. If North is discontinued, one sales manager (whose salary is $40,000 per year)
will be relocated to the South territory. By how much would Schoofs income change if
the North territory is eliminated?
a.
b.
c.
d.

increase by $88,000
increase by $48,000
decrease by $267,000
decrease by $227,000

ANSWER:

MEDIUM

1214

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

Use the following information for questions 4245.

Big City Motors is trying to decide whether it should keep its existing car washing machine or
purchase a new one that has technological advantages (which translate into cost savings) over the
existing machine. Information on each machine follows:
Original cost
Accumulated depreciation
Annual cash operating costs
Current salvage value of old machine 2,000
Salvage value in 10 years
Remaining life
42.

500
10 yrs.

1,000
10 yrs.

sunk cost.
irrelevant cost.
future avoidable cost.
opportunity cost.

ANSWER:

EASY

The $9,000 cost of the original machine represents a(n)

a.
b.
c.
d.

sunk cost.
future relevant cost.
historical relevant cost.
opportunity cost.

ANSWER:
44.

New machine
$20,000
0
4,000

The $4,000 of annual operating costs that are common to both the old and the new
machine are an example of a(n)
a.
b.
c.
d.

43.

Old machine
$9,000
5,000
9,000

EASY

The $20,000 cost of the new machine represents a(n)

a.
b.
c.
d.

sunk cost.
future relevant cost.
future irrelevant cost.
opportunity cost.

ANSWER:

EASY

Chapter 12

45.

Relevant Costing

1215

The estimated $500 salvage value of the existing machine in 10 years represents a(n)
a.
b.
c.
d.

sunk cost.
opportunity cost of selling the existing machine now.
opportunity cost of keeping the existing machine for 10 years.
opportunity cost of keeping the existing machine and buying the new machine.

ANSWER:

EASY

Use the following information for questions 46 and 47.

Robco manufactures and sells FM radios. Information on last years operations (sales and
production of the 2000 model) follows:
Sales price per unit
Costs per unit:
Direct material
Direct labor
Overhead (50% variable)
Selling costs (40% variable)
Production in units
Sales in units
46.

7
4
6
10
10,000
9,500

At this time (April 2001), the 2001 model is in production and it renders the 2000 model
radio obsolete. If the remaining 500 units of the 2000 model radios are to be sold through
regular channels, what is the minimum price the company would accept for the radios?
a.
b.
c.
d.

$30
$27
$18
$4

ANSWER:
47.

$30

MEDIUM

Assume that the remaining 2000 model radios can be sold through normal channels or to a
foreign buyer for $6 per unit. If sold through regular channels, the minimum acceptable
price will be
a.
b.
c.
d.

$30.
$33.
$10.
$4.

ANSWER:

MEDIUM

1216

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

Use the following information for questions 4850.

The Chip Division of Supercomp Corp. produces a high-quality computer chip. Unit production
costs (based on capacity production of 100,000 units per year) follow:
Direct material
Direct labor
Overhead (20% variable)
Other information:
Sales price
SG&A costs (40% variable)
48.

$100
$72
$81
$94

ANSWER:

MEDIUM

Assume, for this question only, that the Chip Division is operating at a level of 70,000
chips per year. What is the minimum price that the division would consider on a special
order of 1,000 chips to be distributed through normal channels?
a.
b.
c.
d.

$78
$95
$100
$81

ANSWER:
50.

100
15

Assume, for this question only, that the Chip Division is producing and selling at capacity.
What is the minimum selling price that the division would consider on a special order of
1,000 chips on which no variable period costs would be incurred?
a.
b.
c.
d.

49.

$50
20
10

MEDIUM

Assume, for this question only, that the Chip Division is presently operating at a level of
80,000 chips per year. Accepting a special order on 2,000 chips at $88 will
a.
b.
c.
d.

increase total corporate profits by $4,000.

increase total corporate profits by $20,000.
decrease total corporate profits by $14,000.
decrease total corporate profits by $24,000.

ANSWER:

MEDIUM

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

1217

Use the following information for questions 5153.

The capital budgeting committee of the Virginia Iron Works is evaluating the possibility of
replacing its old pipe-bending machine with a more advanced model. Information on the existing
machine and the new model follows:
Original cost
Market value now
Market value in year 5
Annual cash operating costs
Remaining life
51.

20,000
10,000
5 yrs.

$30,000 of annual savings in operating costs.

$20,000 of salvage in 5 years on the new machine.
lost sales resulting from the inefficient existing machine.
$400,000 cost of the new machine.

ANSWER:

EASY

The $80,000 market value of the existing machine is

a.
b.
c.
d.

a sunk cost.
an opportunity cost of keeping the old machine.
irrelevant to the equipment replacement decision.
an historical cost.

ANSWER:
53.

New machine
$400,000

The major opportunity cost associated with the continued use of the existing machine is
a.
b.
c.
d.

52.

Existing machine
$200,000
80,000
0
40,000
5 yrs.

EASY

If the company buys the new machine and disposes of the existing machine, corporate
profit over the five-year life of the new machine will be ____________________ than the
profit that would have been generated had the existing machine been retained for five
years.
a.
b.
c.
d.

$150,000 lower
$170,000 lower
$230,000 lower
$150,000 higher

ANSWER:

MEDIUM

1218

54.

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

Golden, Inc. has been manufacturing 5,000 units of Part 10541, which is used in the
manufacture of one of its products. At this level of production, the cost per unit of
manufacturing Part 10541 is as follows:
Direct material
Direct labor
Variable overhead
Fixed overhead applied
Total

$ 2
8
4
6
$20

Brown Company has offered to sell Golden 5,000 units of Part 10541 for $19 a unit.
Golden has determined that it could use the facilities currently used to manufacture Part
10541 to manufacture Part RAC and generate an operating profit of $4,000. Golden has
also determined that two-thirds of the fixed overhead applied will continue even if Part
10541 is purchased from Brown. To determine whether to accept Browns offer, the net
relevant costs to make are
a.
b.
c.
d.

$70,000.
$84,000.
$90,000.
$95,000.

ANSWER:
55.

MEDIUM

Relay Corporation manufactures batons. Relay can manufacture 300,000 batons a year at
a variable cost of $750,000 and a fixed cost of $450,000. Based on Relays predictions,
240,000 batons will be sold at the regular price of $5.00 each. In addition, a special order
was placed for 60,000 batons to be sold at a 40 percent discount off the regular price. The
unit relevant cost per unit for Relays decision is
a.
b.
c.
d.

$1.50.
$2.50.
$3.00.
$4.00.

ANSWER:

MEDIUM

Chapter 12

56.

Relevant Costing

1219

Big City Motors is trying to decide whether it should keep its existing car washing
machine or purchase a new one that has technological advantages (which translate into
cost savings) over the existing machine. Information on each machine follows:
Original cost
Accumulated depreciation
Annual cash operating costs
Current salvage value of old machine
Salvage value in 10 years
Remaining life

Old machine
$9,000
5,000
9,000
2,000
500
10 yrs.

New machine
$20,000
0
4,000
1,000
10 yrs.

The incremental cost to purchase the new machine is

a.
b.
c.
d.

$11,000.
$20,000.
$13,000.
$18,000.

ANSWER:

EASY

THE FOLLOWING MULTIPLE CHOICE RELATE TO MATERIAL COVERED IN THE

APPENDIX OF THE CHAPTER.
57.

The objective in solving the linear programming problem is to determine the optimal levels
of the
a.
b.
c.
d.

coefficients.
dependent variables.
independent variables.
slack variables.

ANSWER:
58.

EASY

A linear programming problem can have

a.
b.
c.
d.

no more than three resource constraints.

only one objective function.
no more than two dependent variables for each constraint equation.
no more than three independent variables.

ANSWER:

EASY

1220

59.

Chapter 12

A linear programming model must

a.
b.
c.
d.

have only one objective function.

have as many independent variables as it has constraint equations.
have at least two dependent variables for each equation.
consider only the constraints that can be expressed as inequalities.

ANSWER:
60.

the independent variables.

the dependent variables in the constraint equations.
the coefficients of the objective function.
iso-cost lines.

ANSWER:

EASY

defined only by binding constraints on the optimal solution.

defined as the solution space that satisfies all constraints.
identified by iso-cost and iso-profit lines.
identified by all of the above.

ANSWER:

EASY

A linear programming solution

a.
b.
c.
d.

always involves more than one constraint.

always involves a corner point.
is the one with the highest vertex coordinates.
is provided by the input-output coefficients.

ANSWER:
63.

The feasible region for an LP solution is

a.
b.
c.
d.

62.

EASY

In a linear programming problem, constraints are indicated by

a.
b.
c.
d.

61.

EASY

The objective function and the resource constraints have the same
a.
b.
c.
d.

dependent variables.
coefficients.
independent variables.
all of the above.

ANSWER:

EASY

Relevant Costing

Chapter 12

64.

Relevant Costing

Which of the following items continuously checks for an improved solution from the one
previously computed?
a.
b.
c.
d.

An algorithm
yes
yes
no
no

ANSWER:
65.

Surplus
yes
yes
no
no

ANSWER:

EASY

Slack
yes
no
yes
no

EASY

____________________ programming relates to a variety of techniques that are used to

allocate limited resources among activities to achieve a specific objective.
a.
b.
c.
d.

Integer
Input-output
Mathematical
Regression

ANSWER:
67.

Simplex method
yes
no
no
yes

Which of the following variables is associated with the less than or equal to constraints?
a.
b.
c.
d.

66.

1221

EASY

The graphical approach to solving a linear programming problem becomes much more
complex when there are more than two
a.
b.
c.
d.

constraints
yes
no
yes
no

ANSWER:

decision variables
no
yes
yes
no
EASY

1222

68.

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

The feasible region for a graphical solution to a profit maximization problem includes
a.
b.
c.
d.

all vertex points.

all points on every resource constraint line.
the origin.
all of the above.

ANSWER:

EASY

Use the following information for questions 6971.

In the two following constraint equations, X and Y represent two products (in units) produced by
the Generic Co.
Constraint 1: 3X + 5Y < 4,200
Constraint 2: 5X + 2Y > 3,000
69.

What is the maximum number of units of Product X that can be produced?

a.
b.
c.
d.

4,200
3,000
600
1,400

ANSWER:
70.

MEDIUM

What is the feasible range for the production of Y?

a.
b.
c.
d.

840 to 1,500 units

0 to 840 units
0 to 631 units
0 to 1500 units

ANSWER:
71.

MEDIUM

A solution of X = 500 and Y = 600 would violate

a.
b.
c.
d.

Constraint 1.
Constraint 2.
both constraints.
neither constraint.

ANSWER:

EASY

Chapter 12

72.

Relevant Costing

1223

One constraint in an LP problem is:

12X + 7Y > 4,000.
If the optimal solution is X = 100 and Y = 500, this resource has
a.
b.
c.
d.

slack variable of 700.

surplus variable of 700.
output coefficient of 700.
none of the above.

ANSWER:
73.

EASY

Consider the following linear programming problem and assume that non-negativity
constraints apply to the independent variables:
Max CM = $14X + $23Y
Subject to
Constraint 1: 4X + 5Y < 3,200
Constraint 2: 2X + 6Y < 2,400
Which of the following are feasible solutions to the linear programming problem?
a.
b.
c.
d.

X = 600, Y = 240
X = 800, Y = 640
X = 0, Y = 400
X = 1,200, Y = 0

ANSWER:
74.

MEDIUM

Contracting with vendors outside the organization to obtain or acquire goods and/or
services is called
a.
b.
c.
d.

target costing.
insourcing.
outsourcing.
product harvesting.

ANSWER:

EASY

1224

75.

Chapter 12

Which of the following activities within an organization would be least likely to be

outsourced?
a.
b.
c.
d.

accounting
data processing
transportation
product design

ANSWER:
76.

EASY

contract vendor.
lessee.
network organization.
centralized insourcer.

ANSWER:

EASY

Costs forgone when an individual or organization chooses one option over another are
a.
b.
c.
d.

budgeted costs.
sunk costs.
historical costs.
opportunity costs.

ANSWER:
78.

An outside firm selected to provide services to an organization is called a

a.
b.
c.
d.

77.

Relevant Costing

EASY

Which of the following costs would not be accounted for in a companys recordkeeping
system?
a.
b.
c.
d.

an unexpired cost
an expired cost
a product cost
an opportunity cost

ANSWER:

EASY

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

1225

SHORT ANSWER/PROBLEMS
1.

Why is depreciation expense irrelevant to most managerial decisions, even when it is a

future cost?
ANSWER:
Depreciation expense is simply the systematic write-off of a sunk cost (the
cost of a long-lived asset). Depreciation expense is therefore always irrelevant unless it
pertains to an asset that is not yet acquired.
MEDIUM

2.

What is an opportunity cost and why is it a relevant cost?

ANSWER: An opportunity cost is not a cost in the traditional out-of-pocket sense.
Opportunity costs are benefits that are sacrificed to pursue one alternative rather than
another. Once an alternative is selected, the opportunity costs associated with that
alternative will not appear directly in the accounting records of the firm as other costs of
that alternative will. These costs are, however, relevant because the company is giving up
one set of benefits to accept a second set. Rational decision making assumes that the
chosen alternative provides the greater benefit.
MEDIUM

3.

Define segment margin and explain why it is a relevant measure of a segments

contribution to overall organizational profitability.
ANSWER:
Segment margin is the amount of income that remains after deducting all
avoidable (both variable and fixed) costs from sales. This measure is the appropriate gauge
of a segments viability because it is a direct measure of how total organizational profits
would change if the segment was discontinued.
MEDIUM

4.

What is the relationship between scarce resources and an organizations production

capacity?
ANSWER:
In the long run, capacity is likely to be constrained by two fundamental
resources: labor and machinery. However, in the short run, additional constraints can push
capacity to levels below labor and machine capacity. Constraints can be induced by raw
material shortages, interruptions in distribution channels, labor strikes in the plants of
suppliers of important components, or governmental restrictions on markets (gas
rationing, Quotas).
MEDIUM

1226

5.

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

Under what circumstances is the sum of variable production and selling costs the
appropriate minimum price for special orders?
ANSWER:
Variable costs would serve as the bottom price for a special order only if
the special order could be produced on production capacity that would otherwise be idle.
Whenever presently employed capacity is partially or wholly surrendered to produce a
special order, the special order price would be based on both variable costs and the profit
sacrificed on the best alternative use of the capacity.
MEDIUM

6.

Why are fixed costs generally more relevant in long-run decisions than short-run
decisions?
ANSWER:
In the long run, all costs are relevant. In the short run, many costs that
apply to the existing production technology are sunk. In particular, depreciation charges
and lease payments on long-term assets are unavoidable. In the long run, these assets are
replaced and, thus their associated costs are relevant in the replacement decision.
MEDIUM

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

1227

Use the following information for questions 79.

Farmer Billy grows corn in a small rural area of Texas. Billys costs per bushel of corn (based on
an average yield of 130 bushels per acre) follow:
Direct material
Direct labor
Variable overhead
Fixed overhead
Variable selling costs
Fixed selling costs

$1.10
0.40
0.30
0.60
0.10
0

Billy defines direct material costs as seed, fertilizer, water, and other chemicals. The variable
overhead costs represent maintenance and repair costs of machinery. The fixed overhead costs are
completely comprised of depreciation expense on machinery and real estate taxes.
7.

Assume that the current date is March 15. On this date, Farmer Billy must make a decision
as to whether he is financially better off to plant his farm to corn or leave his land idle (no
income is derived from idle land). Corn prices have been severely depressed in recent
years and Farmer Billys best guess is that corn prices will be around $2.00 per bushel at
the time his crop is ready for harvest. Should Billy plant corn or leave his land idle?
Explain.
ANSWER:
Billy should make his decision by comparing the incremental income from
planting the corn crop to the incremental expenses that would be incurred to grow,
harvest, and market the crop. The incremental revenue is simply the $2.00 per bushel and
the incremental costs are all variable costs ($1.10 + $0.40 + $0.30 + $0.10 = $1.90).
Based on this comparison, Farmer Billy would be $13 per acre better off to plant than to
let his land remain idle.
MEDIUM

1228

8.

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

Assume for this question only that Billy decided to plant the corn. It is now harvest time
and Billys actual costs are the same as those listed previously. A local oil refiner has
approached Billy about converting his crop to grain alcohol (used to make gasohol) rather
than selling his grain to the local grain elevator. If Billy converts the grain to alcohol, he
will incur additional costs of $0.60 per bushel and he will be able to sell his crop to the oil
refiner for the equivalent of $2.50 per bushel. Otherwise, Billy can sell his corn crop to the
local grain elevator for $1.85 per bushel. If Billy elects to sell the grain to the refinery, he
will not incur the variable selling costs. What should Billy do? Support your answer with
calculations.
ANSWER:
Billys alternatives are to sell the corn as a grain or as alcohol. This decision
can be made by comparing the incremental costs to convert the grain to alcohol to the
increase in price he can receive for marketing the crop as alcohol rather than grain. By
converting the crop to alcohol, Billy increases his total revenue by $0.75 per bushel ($2.60
$1.85) and he incurs additional costs of $0.50 ($0.60 for the additional processing, less
the $0.10 savings on the variable grain marketing costs). Thus, by converting the grain to
alcohol, Billy could increase his net income by $0.25 per bushel.
MEDIUM

9.

Assume that the current date is March 15. On this date, Farmer Billy must make a decision
as to whether he is financially better off to plant his farm to corn, leave his land idle (no
income is derived from idle land), or rent his land to another farmer for $50 per acre. Corn
prices have been severely depressed in recent years and Farmer Billys best guess is that
corn prices will be around $2.00 per bushel at the time his crop is ready for harvest. What
should Billy do? Show calculations.
ANSWER:
It has already been determined (answer to #80) that planting corn is
preferred to leaving the land idle (by $13 per acre). By renting the land, Farmer Billy is
even better off. Under the rental alternative, Farmer Billy is $37 per acre better off than if
he plants corn ($50 $13). By renting the land, Billy avoids all costs except the fixed
production costs ($0.60 per bushel or $78 per acre).
MEDIUM

Chapter 12

10.

Relevant Costing

1229

Lisa and Yvette make and sell the Kitchen Mystic, a wall hanging depicting a witch. The
Kitchen Mystics are sold at specialty shops for $50 each. The capacity of the plant is
15,000 Mystics per year. Costs to manufacture and sell each wall hanging are as follows:
Direct material
Direct labor
Variable overhead
Fixed overhead
Variable selling expenses

$ 5.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
2.50

Lisa and Yvette have been approached by an English company about purchasing 2,500
Mystics. The company is currently making and selling 15,000 per year. The English
company wants to attach its own label, which increases costs by $.50 each. No selling
expenses would be incurred on this order. Lisa and Yvette believe that they must make an
additional $1 on each wall hanging to accept this offer.
a.
b.

What is the opportunity cost per unit of selling to the English organization?
What is the minimum selling price that should be set?

ANSWER:
a.
Opportunity cost = Selling price minus total variable costs $50 ($5 + $6 + $8 +
$2.50) = $28.50
b.

Direct material ($5.00 + $.50)

Direct labor
Variable overhead
Fixed overhead
Variable selling
Opportunity cost [from (a) less
fixed overhead included]
Extra amount required to accept offer
Minimum price

MEDIUM

$ 5.50
6.00
8.00
10.00
0
18.50
1.00
$49.00

1230

11.

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

Tiny Tims Accounting Service provides two types of services: audit and tax. All company
personnel can perform either service. In efforts to market its services, Tiny Tims relies on
radio and billboards for advertising. Information on Tiny Tims projected operations for
2001 follows:
Revenue per billable hour
Variable cost of professional labor
Material cost per billable hour
Allocated fixed costs per year
Projected billable hours for 2001
a.
b.

Audit
35
25
2
100,000
14,000

Taxes
30
20
3
200,000
10,000

What is Tiny Tims projected profit or (loss) for 2001?

If $1 spent on advertising could increase either audit services billable time by 1
hour or tax services billable time by 1 hour, on which service should the
advertising dollar be spent?

ANSWER:
a.
Revenue:
14,000 $35
10,000 $30
Variable Costs:
Labor:
14,000 $25
10,000 $20
Material:
14,000 $2
10,000 $3
Contribution margin
Fixed costs
Profit (loss)
b.

Audit

Tax

Total

$ 300,000

$ 490,000
300,000

$490,000

(350,000)
(200,000)

(350,000)
(200,000)

(30,000 )
$ 70,000
(200,000 )
$(130,000 )

(28,000)
(30,000)
$ 182,000
(300,000 )
$(118,000)

(28,000)
$112,000
(100,000 )
$ 12,000

Each billable hour of audit services generates $8 of contribution margin

($35 $25 $2), tax services generates $7 of contribution margin
($30 $20 $3). The advertising should be spent on the audit services.

MEDIUM

Chapter 12

12.

Relevant Costing

1231

Timothy Warren operates a woodworking shop that makes tables and chairs. He has 25
employees working 40 hours per week, and he has 750 hours per week available in
machine time. Timothy knows that he must make at least four chairs for every table. He
has also determined the following additional requirements:

Table
Chair

Labor
hours
5
3

Machine
hours
2
1

Contribution
margin
$18
4

Write the object function and constraints for the above problem.
ANSWER:
Objective function: Max CM--> 18X + 4Y
Subject to:

4X Y > 0
5X + 3Y 1,000
2X + Y 750
X = # of tables
Y = # of chairs

13.

Define and discuss outsourcing.

ANSWER:
Outsourcing occurs when an organization farms out some of its normal
business activities or processes. Several areas that are most frequently outsourced by an
organization include payroll, accounting, transportation, and possibly legal. When a
company outsources some of its functions, it is able to divert more energy to those areas
that produce a firms core competencies or have the ability to create revenues for the firm.
MEDIUM

1232

14.

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

The management of Smith Industries has been evaluating whether the company should
continue manufacturing a component or buy it from an outside supplier. A $100 cost per
component was determined as follows:
Direct material
Direct labor
Variable manufacturing overhead
Fixed manufacturing overhead

$ 15
40
10
35
$100

Smith Industries uses 4,000 components per year. After Jones Corp. submitted a bid of
$80 per component, some members of management felt they could reduce costs by buying
from outside and discontinuing production of the component. If the component is
obtained from Jones Corp., Smiths unused production facilities could be leased to another
company for $50,000 per year.
Required:
a.
Determine the maximum amount per unit Smith could pay an outside supplier.
b.

Indicate if the company should make or buy the component and the total dollar
difference in favor of that alternative.

c.

Assume the company could eliminate one production supervisor with a salary of
$30,000 if the component is purchased from an outside supplier. Indicate if the
company should make or buy the component and the total dollar difference in
favor of that alternative.

ANSWER:
a.

Cost to make = incremental manufacturing cost and opportunity cost

= DM + DL + V FOH + OP COST
$77.50 = $15 + $40 + $10 + ($50,000/4,000 units)

b.

Make: Save ($80.00 $77.50) 4,000 = $10,000

c.

Incremental mfg. = $65 + ($30,000/4,000) = $72.50

+ opportunity cost $50,000/4,000
= 12.50
To make
$85.00
Buy: Save ($85 $80) 4,000 units = $20,000

MEDIUM

Chapter 12

15.

Relevant Costing

1233

Brown Corp is working at full production capacity producing 10,000 units of a unique
product, XYZ. Manufacturing costs per unit for XYZ follow:
Direct material
Direct manufacturing labor
Manufacturing overhead

$ 2
3
5
$10

The unit manufacturing overhead cost is based on a variable cost per unit of $2 and fixed
costs of $30,000 (at full capacity of 10,000 units). The non-manufacturing costs, all
variable, are $4 per unit, and the selling price is $20 per unit. A customer, the Miami Co.,
has asked Brown to produce 2,000 units of a modification of XYZ to be called ABC.
ABC would require the same manufacturing processes as XYZ and the Miami Co. has
offered to share equally the non-manufacturing costs with Brown. ABC will sell at $15
per unit.
Required:
a.
What is the opportunity cost to Brown of producing the 2,000 units of ABC
(assume that no overtime is worked)?
b.

The Jones Co. has offered to produce 2,000 units of XYZ for Brown, so Brown
can accept the Miami offer. Jones would charge Brown $14 per unit for the XYZ.
Should Brown accept the Jones offer?

c.

Suppose Brown had been working at less than full capacity producing 8,000 units
of XYZ at the time the ABC offer was made. What is the minimum price Brown
should accept for ABC under these conditions (ignoring the $15 price mentioned
previously)?

1234

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

ANSWER:
a.

XYZ
SP
VC
= CM

$ 20
(11)
$ 9

($2 + $3 + $2 + $4)
2,000 units =
$18,000

ABC
SP
VC
= CM

$15
(9)
$ 6

($2 + $3 + $2 + $2)
2,000 units =
12,000
Opportunity cost
$ 6,000

b.

Make ($15 $14) = $1 2,000 units = $2,000 without giving up any current production
= DO IT.

c.

The variable cost to make and sell = $11 ($2 + $3 + $2 + $4) would be the minimum. Any
price over $11 would increase the contribution margin.

MEDIUM

Chapter 12

16.

Relevant Costing

1235

The Davis Company normally produces 150,000 units of AB per year. Due to an
economic downturn, the company has some idle capacity. AB sells for $15 per unit.
The firms production, marketing, and administration costs at its normal capacity are:
Direct material
Direct labor
Variable overhead
Fixed overhead
($450,000/150,000 units)
Variable marketing costs
Fixed marketing and administrative costs
($210,000/150,000 units)
Total

Per Unit
$1.00
2.00
1.50
3.00
1.05
1.40
$9.95

Required:
a.
Compute the firms operating income before income taxes if the firm produced and
sold 110,000 units in 2001.
b.

For 2002, the firm expects to sell the same number of units as it sold in 2001.
However, in a trade newspaper, the firm noticed an invitation to bid on selling AB
to a state government. There are no marketing costs associated with the order if
Davis is awarded the contract. The company wishes to prepare a bid for 40,000
units at its full manufacturing cost plus $ 0.25 per unit. How much should it bid?
If Davis is successful at getting the contract, what would be its effect on operating
income?

c.

Assume that the company is awarded the contract on January 2, 2002, and in
addition it also receives an order from a foreign vendor for 40,000 units at the
regular price of $15 per unit. The foreign shipment will require the firm to incur its
normal marketing costs. The government contract contains a 10-day escape clause
(i.e., the firm can reject the contract within 10 days without any penalty). If the
firm accepts the government contract, overtime pay at 1 times the straight time
rate will be paid on the 40,000 units. In addition, fixed overhead will increase by
$60,000 and variable overhead will behave in its normal pattern. The company has
the capacity to product both orders. Decide the following:
1.

Should the firm accept the foreign offer? Show the effect on operating
income of accepting the order.

2.

Assuming the foreign order is accepted, should the firm accept the
government order? Show the effect on operating income of accepting the
government order.

1236

Chapter 12

Relevant Costing

ANSWER:
a.

Sales (110,000 $15)

VC (110,000 $5.55)
= CM
FC ($450,000 + $210,000)
= Operating Income

b.

Full cost to manufacture = $7.50

+ profit
.25
Bid
$7.75
SP
VC
CM

c.

$1,650,000
(610,500 )
$1,039,500
(660,000 )
$ 379,500

$7.75
(4.50 )
$3.25 40,000 units = $130,000 increase in operating income.

1.

SP
$15.00
VC
(6.55 ) ($1 + $3 + $1.50 + $1.05)
CM
$ 8.45
40,000 =
$338,000
FC
(60,000 )
Increase in Operating Income
$278,000

2.

Both orders can be accepted even if the increased costs of $40,000 for labor and
$60,000 for fixed overhead are assigned to the government order.

DIFFICULT